It's unusual for Macs to have serious problems, but when they do, the solution is often to boot into Recovery Mode and use one of the tools available there to fix the problem. However, if your Mac Recovery Mode isn't working or your Mac won't boot into Recovery Mode, what do you do then?

In many cases, the problem is easier to fix than it looks. In this guide, we'll explain why your Mac won't go into Recovery Mode, show you how to enter it on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs, and walk you through the most effective fixes.

First, check which Mac you have

The way you enter Recovery Mode depends on your Mac's processor.

If your Mac has...

Use this method

Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4)

Shut down your Mac, then press and hold the power button until Startup Options appear. Click Options>Continue.

Intel processor

Restart your Mac and immediately hold Command-R until the Apple logo appears.

👉Please note: If Command-R isn't working, make sure you have an Intel Mac. Apple silicon Macs use a different startup process, so pressing Command-R won't open Recovery Mode.

What is Recovery Mode?

Every Mac shipped over the last decade includes a hidden Recovery partition on its startup disk. This is designed to help you fix problems with your Mac when the startup disk is damaged, your Mac won't boot normally, or it crashes regularly.

When you boot into Recovery Mode, there are a number of options available. You can:

  • Reinstall macOS
  • Restore your Mac from a Time Machine backup
  • Use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk
  • Open Terminal and run commands
  • Change startup security settings (on supported Macs)

In addition to using the Recovery partition stored on your startup disk, you can also access Internet Recovery, which loads recovery tools directly from Apple's servers. This can be useful if the Recovery partition on your Mac is missing or damaged.

How to boot your Mac into Recovery Mode

The process for booting your Mac in recovery mode differs depending on whether your Mac has an Intel CPU or runs on Apple silicon.

Recovery mode on Mac

Apple silicon

  1. Shut down your Mac by clicking the Apple menu and choosing Shut Down.
  2. If your Mac is frozen and you can’t shut down normally, press and hold the power button until it shuts down.
  3. When it has shut down, press and hold the power button until you see the startup options screen.
  4. Click Options, then Continue.
  5. Type in an administrator name and password.

Intel-based Mac

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Press and hold Command-R and press the power button.
  3. Release Command-R when you see the Apple logo.
  4. Type in your admin username and password.
Tip

Many problems your Mac may run into, including situations where Recovery Mode isn't working or Internet Recovery won't load, can often be avoided by keeping your Mac well maintained. Uninstalling applications you no longer use, removing junk files, and running regular maintenance tasks can help prevent startup issues before they happen. The best way to maintain your Mac is to use an application designed for the job. We recommend CleanMyMac. Its Performance tool can run periodic scripts, reindex Spotlight, repair disk permissions, and flush DNS cache. CleanMyMac can also uninstall applications and remove junk files. You can try it for free here.

Maintenance module to run macOS maintenance scripts

Why is Mac Recovery Mode not working?

There are several reasons why your Mac may not boot into Recovery Mode. The most common ones include:

  • Your keyboard isn't working correctly
  • You're using a Bluetooth keyboard that's not connected during startup
  • You're using the wrong startup shortcut for your Mac
  • The Recovery partition is damaged
  • The Recovery partition is missing
  • Startup settings or firmware are preventing Recovery Mode from loading
  • You're having problems with Internet Recovery

The good news is that most of these problems can be fixed without reinstalling macOS.

    How to fix Mac Recovery Mode not working

    Work through the fixes below in order. After each step, try entering Recovery Mode again.

    1. Make sure you use the correct startup method

    This is the most common cause of Recovery Mode problems.

    If you have an Apple silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, M4), Command-R won't work. Instead:

    1. Shut down your Mac.
    2. Press and hold the power button.
    3. Release it when Loading startup options appears.
    4. Select Options, then click Continue.

    If you have an Intel Mac, restart it and immediately hold Command-R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.

    If you're not sure which Mac you have, choose Apple menu > About This Mac and check whether it has an Intel processor or an Apple chip.

    2. Check your keyboard

    If your Mac isn't detecting your keyboard during startup, it won't recognize the Recovery Mode shortcut.

    If you're using a Bluetooth keyboard, try one of these solutions:

    • Connect it using a cable if possible.
    • Replace the batteries.
    • Pair it again after your Mac starts normally.

    You can also temporarily switch to a wired USB keyboard if you have one available. This eliminates Bluetooth as the source of the problem.

    3. Reset the SMC (Intel Macs only)

    The System Management Controller manages power systems on your Mac. Sometimes, resetting it can fix problems. If your Mac won’t boot in recovery mode, it’s worth a try. To reset the SMC, you need to hold down a combination of keys when you boot your Mac. The exact combination of keys differs depending on what Mac you have. You can find the combination for your Mac on Apple’s support pages here.

    Note: Apple silicon Macs don't have a separate SMC, so this step doesn't apply to M-series Macs.

    4. Reset NVRAM (Intel Macs only)

    If your Mac still won't boot into Recovery Mode, resetting NVRAM (sometimes called PRAM) may help.

    NVRAM stores startup settings such as the selected startup disk, display resolution, and speaker volume. If these settings become corrupted, your Mac may not boot correctly.

    To reset NVRAM:

    1. Shut down your Mac.
    2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold:
      Option-Command-P-R
    3. Keep holding the keys for about 20 seconds.
    4. Release them and allow your Mac to restart.

    Then try entering Recovery Mode again.

    5. Start your Mac in Safe Mode

    Booting into Safe Mode prevents unnecessary login items and system extensions from loading. It also checks your startup disk and repairs certain file system issues automatically.

    It's a good way to determine whether third-party software is preventing Recovery Mode from working.

    The steps for booting in safe mode are different for Apple silicon and Intel-based Macs. You can find details on Apple’s support pages here.

    6. Try Internet Recovery

    If the local Recovery partition is damaged or missing, your Mac may still be able to load recovery tools directly from Apple's servers using Internet Recovery.

    On Intel Macs, you can try these shortcuts during startup:

    • Option-Command-R — installs the latest version of macOS compatible with your Mac
    • Shift-Option-Command-R — reinstalls the version of macOS that originally shipped with your Mac or the closest available version.

    If you see a spinning globe instead of the Apple logo, your Mac is attempting to start Internet Recovery.

    If you see "The recovery server could not be contacted"

    This error usually means your Mac can't reach Apple's recovery servers.

    You may try these fixes:

    • Make sure you're connected to the internet
    • Switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet if possible
    • Restart your router
    • Check that your Mac's date and time are correct, as an incorrect date can prevent a secure connection to Apple's servers
    • Wait a few minutes and try again if Apple's servers are temporarily unavailable

    7. Boot from a macOS installer

    If neither Recovery Mode nor Internet Recovery works, you can start your Mac using a bootable macOS installer.

    You'll need:

    • a USB drive with enough storage
    • another working Mac
    • the macOS installer downloaded from the App Store

    Apple provides detailed instructions for creating a bootable installer using the createinstallmedia command in Terminal.

    Once the installer is ready:

    1. Connect it to your Mac.
    2. Start your Mac while holding the appropriate startup key.
    3. Select the USB installer as your startup disk.
    4. From there, you can reinstall macOS or troubleshoot your Mac further.

    If you already have a bootable external drive or a Time Machine backup, you can also start your Mac from it and restore your system.

    The Recovery partition in macOS is an essential tool for fixing startup problems, repairing disks, reinstalling macOS, and restoring your Mac from a Time Machine backup. If your Mac won’t boot in recovery mode, follow the steps above to fix the problem.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why is Command-R not working on my Mac?

    If you have an Apple silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, M4), this is expected. Command-R only works on Intel-based Macs. On Apple silicon Macs, shut down your Mac, then press and hold the power button until Startup Options appear.

    If you have an Intel Mac, check that your keyboard is working correctly and try resetting the SMC or NVRAM.

    What should I do if Internet Recovery isn't working?

    First, make sure your Mac has a stable internet connection. If possible, switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet and restart your router.

    If you see "The recovery server could not be contacted," check that your Mac's date and time are correct, as incorrect settings can prevent a secure connection to Apple's servers.

    Can I reinstall macOS without Recovery Mode?

    Yes, if Recovery Mode isn't available, you can create a bootable macOS installer on another Mac and use it to reinstall macOS. You can also restore your Mac from a Time Machine backup if you have one.

    Does Recovery Mode work differently on a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro?

    No, the process depends on whether your Mac has an Intel processor or Apple silicon, not the model itself. All Apple silicon Macs use the power button to enter Recovery Mode, while Intel Macs use Command + R.

    What if a firmware password is preventing Recovery Mode?

    Some Intel-based Macs may have a firmware password enabled. When this happens, your Mac asks for the password before allowing you to start from another disk or enter Recovery Mode.

    If you've forgotten the firmware password, you won't be able to bypass it yourself. Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider can remove it after verifying proof of ownership.

    If your Mac asks for a firmware password during startup, this may be why Recovery Mode isn't loading.

    Will entering Recovery Mode delete my data?

    No, simply starting your Mac in Recovery Mode doesn't delete anything. However, some tools available in Recovery Mode, such as Erase Mac or Disk Utility, can remove data if you choose to use them. Always make sure you understand what an option does before proceeding.